Synthesis Report for Archaeological Testing at the New River Authorized Dam Site, Maricopa County, Arizona, Phase II

Summary

This report presents the results of additional archaeological testing at the New River Authorized Dam Site. This site, the location of a proposed flood control dam to be constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, is situated along the New River about 27 km north of its confluence with the Agua Fria and 32 km northwest of downtown Phoenix. In an earlier testing program 22 prehistoric and historic sites were investigated in the upstream portion of the project area. The present work completes the evaluation of the existing data base with the results of testing at an additional 18 prehistoric and historic sites in two areas in the downstream portion of the project area and one area in the upstream portion.

The majority of these sites consist of small lithic scatters (2) or sherd and lithic scatters (10) with few or no features. Also included are four village sites, including the large Palo Verde Ruin; a multicomponent site consisting of petroglyphs, rock alignments, rockshelters, trails, ground stone manufacturing areas, and artifact scatters; and a historic homestead. A single large prehistoric agricultural site outside of impact areas is also reported.

An archaeological testing program was carried out at these sites in order to evaluate the adverse effects of dam construction and to design a cultural resources mitigation program to minimize these effects. Testing involved mapping sites, examination of surface and subsurface artifacts, and test excavations of surface and subsurface features. Prehistoric and historic artifacts and nonartifactual remains were collected from all sites and analyzed. The results of these tests and analyses form the basis of a discussion of areal chronology, site function, settlement, subsistence, and cultural affiliation.